Sometimes it’s the ones who have the least that sustainable design helps the most. Green affordable housing has one of the highest social returns on investment, where savings on a utility bill can mean food on the table, but it is also has some of the tightest margins and regulated design criteria in the building industry.

Sustainable Fellwood (www.sustainablefellwood.com), is a mixed-use, mixed-income sustainable redevelopment of a 27-acre parcel less than 2 minutes from the historic downtown district of Savannah, Georgia. This affordable housing project was presented with a LEED ND Silver distinction in June 2009 and is one of the first affordable ND projects nationwide. Additionally, every unit in Sustainable Fellwood has achieved LEED for Homes certification, and units range from public housing to low-income to market rate. The 110 multifamily units in Phase I obtained LEED Gold certification in November 2009, while Phase II received LEED Gold in May 2012 and Phase III earned LEED Platinum in June 2012 - a true feat for affordable housing. Sustainable Fellwood also is participating in the Earthcraft Home and Earthcraft Coastal Communities certification programs, as well as the Enterprise Green Communities program.

Sustainable Fellwood presents an excellent case study that green can be done across all product types, and proves building sustainably doesn’t have to cost more – the team will share their knowledge of which strategies offer the best bang for the buck. Additionally, up to date, real time utility data will be used to demonstrate real-life energy and water efficiency and cost savings to residents after two years of full occupancy.